TECHNICAL FINISHING, HEALTH, COMFORT, SPORTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The Institute is involved in the R+D of surface finishing techniques for new-generation textiles to provide them with advanced properties and functions, and the development of textile solutions applied to health and hygiene, sports and comfort and the environment.

AITEX develops textile materials for use in biomedicine and biotechnology: the Institute’s work on biomedical applications brings it into close collaboration with health research institutes and hospitals and our attention is focused on biomaterials destined for fields such as tissue engineering, slow-release of pharmaceuticals, prosthetics and dressings.

LINES OF RESEARCH ➢ Technical finishing When a fabric surface receives a special treatment it can acquire advanced properties and functions, and AITEX is active in this field in the following areas of technological research: • Surface treatments • Coatings and laminates • Garment-finishing technology (O3, laser, nano-bubbles) • Electrospinning

➢ Health The healthcare sector is a growing market which offers enormous potential for the textile industry. Healthcare textiles are at the forefront of protecting the patient’s health as they are in direct, intimate contact with the skin. AITEX is closely involved in researching new textiles for the sector with enhanced performance to meet the demands of a range of specific applications. In the field of biomedicine, nanoveils are being developed which can be used in tissue engineering, as well as biocompatible textiles for implantable prosthetics and webs for supporting hernias, among others.

I. Tissue engineering • Nanoveils: nanofibre veils are ideal for use in tissue regrowth. • Hydrogels: 3D polymer webs of natural or synthetic fibre have an extraordinary capacity to absorb fluids without breaking down or dissolving. II. Implantable materials: biocompatible textile structures for improved prosthetics III. Therapeutic and healthcare material • Controlled-release of pharmaceuticals: the incorporation of active compounds during manufacture. • Bioactive textiles: reduce and eliminate bacteria, fungi, mites and other parasites. • Applied research in the development of a range of health and treatment materials including dressings and sutures.

➢ Sport and comfort Textile fabrics are vital elements of any sporting and outdoor activity and the Institute is constantly working on improving fabric comfort for articles for every type of sport to improve a garment’s performance in extreme climates or simply to make the amateur or professional athlete more comfortable while doing their favourite sport. I. Thermal and acoustic comfort II. Ergonomic, functional and physiological comfort III. Acoustic comfort IV. Protection and safety for the athlete V. Enhancing performance VI. Health and safety

➢ The environment Research of new techniques, technologies and approaches to reduce the environmental impact of an industrial process. I. Efficient use of water resources II. Minimising and re-evaluating resources III. Textile ECO-DESIGN IV. Energy efficiency: product development V. Processes: energy efficiency – clean technologies